Code converter



Jan. 9, 1951 Filed Aug. 27, 1947 J.A.SPENCER CODE CONVERTER 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

JAMES A. SPENCER Jan. 9, 1951 Filed Aug. 27, 1947 J. A. SPENCER CODE CONVERTER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

-/ 3 JAMES A. SPENCER ATTORNEY Jan. 9, 1951 J. A. SPENCER 2,537,153

CODE CONVERTER Filed Aug. 27, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet s 44 k ji-l'r-j 6 Z5 E I I l I I I III! INVENTOR. JAMES A. SPENCER ATTORNEY Jan. 9, 1951 .1. A. SPENCER 2,537,163

CODE CONVERTER Filed Aug. 2'7, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 PI IIIIIIIIIIIIIIHI ,r- 1 29")- I I d M 1 umu 25 33 a E [53 I v 54 95 -5 i.

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Jan. 9, 1951 Filed Aug. 27, 1947 J. A. SPENCER CODE CONVERTER 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 JAMES A. SPENCER I "W J f u/ 46k- ATTORNEY INVENTOR.

Patented Jan. 9, 1951 CODE CONVERTER James A. Spencer, Teaneck, N. 5., assignor to Radio Corporation of America, a corporation of Delaware Application August 27, 1947, Serial No. 770,851

6 Claims. I The present invention relates to telegraph apparatus and more particularly to a device for converting telegraph signalling codes of one characteristic into a code having different characteristics.

In wire, cable and telegraph signals, messages are frequentlyreceived in printer code signals and retransmitted in cable or Morse code signals. Many devices for effecting code conversion have heretofore been developed but most of these are either too slow acting for commercial usage or require special operating procedures.

An object of the present invention, therefore, is the provision of a code converter overcoming the above-mentioned disadvantages.

'Another object of the present invention is to produce a code converter device capable of accomplishing the conversion at a high rate of speed.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a code converter operating to convert printer code or five unit signals into cable or Morse code signals without requiring special operating procedures. Printer codes are generally identical for upper and lower case characters associated with a particular type bar. Differentiation between upper and lower case characters is accomplished by preceding a character requiring a change in case by a case shift code group.

In Morse and cable code upper and lower case characters are transmitted and received in entirely different character formations. These code characters differ in length and number of element units. 7

Still another object is the provision of a code converter mechanism which inherently provides a considerable overlap between the selecting and perforating operations whereb improved operating characteristics are obtained.

Briefly, the present invention includes a selector mechanism for receiving and translating incoming printer code impulses representative of message characters, all characters having the same total number of elemental units, into mechanical movements of code bars and a translating mechanism actuated by the mechanical movement of the code bars to so actuate a perforating mecha nism that a tape is punched with a predetermined pattern to represent in Morse code the same characters, all in a proper time relationship to the received signal. The number of elemental uniS-s representing said characters may vary considerably.

The present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description which is accompanied by a drawing in which:

Figure 1 shows in perspective a general view of an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates in perspective a fragmentary portion of Figure l with only so much of the selector mechanism shown as is necessary for following the cycle of operations;

Figure 3 is an end view of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is the top view of the selector mechanism at the right hand end of Figure l;

Figure 5 is an intermediate section taken midway of the code translating mechanism of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a top view of the perforating mechanism at the left hand of Figure 1, and 1 Figure 7 is a detailed view of a portion of the case shift mechanism of the present invention.

Referring now to Figure 1 there is shown mounted on base B, a code selector mechanism S, a converter arrangement C and a tape punching apparatus P. The selector S is generally an adaptation ofsword and lever selector mechanisms such as used in teleprinters and is similar to the selector mechanism shown in Morton Patent 1,745,633, granted February 4, 1930. The selector mechanism is fragmentarily shown in Figure 2 and in more detail in Figures 3 and 4.

The selector mechanism includes a pair of magnets HJ connected to the incoming telegraph line and responsive to printer code signal carried by the incoming line. ,The magnets Hi actuate an armature 12 having thereon an extension carrying a pair of parallel arms I3 and Hi (Fig. 2). The armature I2 i variably positioned to either the right or left (Fig. 2) in dependence upon whether a marking or spacing signal is being received. Thus, either of the parallel arms 13 and H, but not both, is brought into alignment with the ends 23 and 24 of the swords it. During the entire period of time when signals are to be received, motor M is operating driving shaft 29 through worm 2| on the motor shaft and worm wheel 22 on shaft 2t. Mounted on shaft 20 and driven thereby through a clutch 25 is a selector cam sleeve 26 carrying individual cams 2?, one for each of the five selector levers 23 associated with the swords It. A stop arm is provided, which normally holds the selector cam sleeve stationary until released b the first spacing imp e per code character received by magnets ill. This structure is not shown in detail since it of itself forms no part of the present invention.

Now if it is assumed that a train of code iml llits s bei g r ceivedand that the stop arm has been just released, the selector cam sleeve will rotate in synchronism with the incoming code characters. As the individual code elements arrive at magnet I0, the armature will be either attracted or released in accordance with the marking and spacing elements of the code. The armature extension arms I3 and Ill will be brought into alignment with the ends 23 and 24 of the swords I5. The individual cam elements 2'! carried in cam sleeve 26 actuate selector lever 28 in sequence drawing swords I6 down so that either end 23 or 24 of each sword is brought into engagement with arms I3 or I I. Thus, the swords I6 are variably positioned to the right or left (Fig. 2) in accordance with the individual code elements of a code character. As the swords are released by the cam follower of each selector lever 28 falling off the toe of each of the cams 21, springs 30 cause the upper ends of swords I6 to engage one end or the other of T bars 32. The feet of T bars 32 are coupled to individual permutation bars 33, one for each of the five elements of each incomingcode character. The permutation bars 33 are provided with notches 34 along their upper edges. For every received code combination, there is one position along the length of permutation bars 33 where all of the notches will be lined up, thus permitting one of the cross bars 25 to drop into the aligned notches. After the train of code impulses, representing one character, is received, a projection (not shown) on the cam sleeve assembly causes a clutch release member 35 to disengage a stop finger 33 on clutch sleeve member 33 and the teeth on clutch sleeve member 38 to engage similar teeth on a cooperating clutch member 39. Thus the gear train including spur gears 40, 4|, 42 and 43 and skew gears 44 and 45 cause cam shaft 46 to be driven through one revolution. After the completion of one revolution the stop finger 3I engages the cam surface 36' causing the teeth on clutch sleeve member 38 to disengage the cooperating clutch member 39 and stop gear 40 and cam shaft 43. Cam shaft 46 carries a number of similar cams 4'! which, in rotating, allow bail 48 to lower, permitting one of the cross bars 25 under the influence of its associated spring 54, to enter the slot existing in the permutation bar assembly (33). Associated with each of the cross bars 25 is a L-shaped bar 53 coupled with said cross bar by a hook 55 and a spring 56. Thus, each of the cross bars may lift, if necessary, without lifting the associated L-shaped bar if it is being held .down. As the selected L bar is moved downwardly, it enters slots in perforator control bar assemblies comprising perforator bars SI and space bars 32. These control bars are so notched that the perforate-r bars 6!, representative of the dots and dashes in the Morse code for the selected letter are held against longitudinal movement by the selected L bar while the others are free to move. Also, that one of the spacing bars 62, which is representative of the length of the code combination to be punched, is locked against longitudinal movements.

.Now, as the cam shaft 46 continues its rotation, all of the cross bars 25 are lifted, the selected one of the L-shaped bars 53 being held down by the pressure of control bars GI and 62 consequent to the tape punching operation which will later be described. Thus, an overlap is provided between the selecting and perforating mechanisms.

It should be noted that, in the five element code, each code combination is representative of one letter and one upper case character such as a numeral or punctuation mark. The selection between these two characters depends upon which of two case shift characters has last been transmitted. On the other hand, each letter and each upper case character in Morse code has its own individual code combination. Some means must be provided to accomplish this transformation. Therefore, I have provided a sixth permutation or case shift bar 33 aligned with the code element permutation bars 33 but not actuated by a T bar or sword.

When permutation bars 33 are so selected as to correspond to a case shift signal one of the two extra cross bars, case shift cross bars 25A or 253, drops into aligned slots in code bars 33 when bail 43 is lowered. This actuates toggle lever "I0 to one position or another, shifting sixth permutation or case shift bar 33 to one extreme or the other. Case shift bar 33 is so notched that only one of the cross bars 25, of the two selected by the remaining permutation bars 33, drops, depending upon whether a letter character or upper case character is desired. The toggle lever I0 is shown in more detail in Figure '7 where the covering plate II is shown in phantom. Toggle lever I0 has an inwardly depending arm 12 engaging in aperture I3 in code bar 33, for moving the bar by the action of the toggle lever. Spring I4 provides the toggle action, and maintains the lever I0 in one of its two extreme positions, where stop pin I5 is against an edge of aperture 76, formed by the punching out from the body of the lever, of arm I2.

The tape punching mechanism -P includes a punch block I00 having holes therein adapted to cooperate with twenty code element punches IOI, one individual to each control bar BI and ten paper feed hole punches. The punching operation takes place by the punch block I00 being moved back against the punches, those of the punches I I)! which are held stationary b the blocked control bars 6| punching holes in the tape while the paper presses the other back freely against the pressure of restoring springs I05.

The punching operation is initiated by the lowering of bail 43 by cams 41, rocking trip rod I06 through the crank and connecting rod 96 (Fig. 5). The rocking motion of trip rod I 06 causes lever I01 to release clutch I08, thus permitting motor M to rotate cam shaft I09. Cam shaft I09 is provided with three cams H0, I20, I30. Cam I20 operates push rod I2! which moves restoring plate I22 away from the end of control bars 6|, 62 so that any bars not blocked by L- shaped levers 53 may be moved back by the action of punch block I00.

Cam I30 moves punch block I00 against the punch pins on the ends of control bars 6! through cam follower I3I. This motion not only causes the blocked control bars 6| to punch holes through the tape but moves such vanes I32 as are not blocked by the spacing bars 62, into the path of paper feed pawl I33.

The cam H0 causes feed lever III to swing about its pivot M2 to move feed pawl I33 along guide rod I3 3 axially along the tape until it is blocked by a feed vane I 32. As the rotation of cam Iii] continues the motion of feed lever I I I reverses, the feed pawl I33 picks up the tape and advances it an amount determined by the one of the spacing bars 52 which was blocked by the L- shaped bar 53.

In order to expedite the feeding of a new tape through the machine. rod I l-El may be rocked about the axis of the trip rod I35 by ressingbutton M5. This rotates sleeve I4! and causes connecting rod I42 to release clutch I08. Each such operation will advance the paper tape ten element spaces, since in such operation, one of the feed selector vanes I32 is effective to stop the feed selector pawl I33.

it is therefore contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for converting five unit code signals into telegraph code including a set of permutation bars, one individual to each element of the received code signal, means for selectively positioning each of said permutation bars in either of two positions in accordance with received signals, a case shift bar arranged with said permu tation bars, a spring'biased toggle member adapted to be selectively positioned in accordance with case shift signals set up on said permutation bars to shift said case shift bar and to maintain the same in its selected position pending receipt of a different case shift signal, a tape perforator including a set of perforator control bars arranged in parallel relationship to saidpermutation bars, said perforator control bars including perforating bars and spacing bars, a number of cross bars, two of said cross bars'being selected by the positioning of said permutation bars for each different character to be converted, one of said two selected cross bars being selected by the position of said case shift bar a number of L bars, one associated with each cross bar, said L bars being so arranged that each will block said perforating bars and spacing bars to condition said perforator to punch said tape in a pattern representative of a code character, said cross bars being normally held out of engagement with said permutation bars by a main .bailf'means for so actuating said main bail as to bring said cross bars into engagement with said permutation bars at the end of each received code signal, said L bars being so coupled to said cross bars that said cross bars may be lifted by said main bail without disturbing the selection of said perforator control bars by the selected one of said L bars, and means responsive to the completion of each perforating operation for restoring said perforator control bars and releasing said one L bar.

2. A device for converting five unit code signals into telegraph code including a set of permutation bars, one individual to each element of the received code signal, means for selectively positioning each of said permutation bars in either of two positions in accordance with received signals, a case shift bar arranged with said permutation bars, a tape perforator including a set of perforator control bars arranged in parallel relationshi to saidpermutation bars, said perforator control bars including perforating bars and spacing bars, a number of cross bars, case shift cross bars arranged with said cross bars so that one of said case shift cross bars will be positioned selectively in accordance with the arrangement of said permutation bars in response to received case shift signals") a spring biased toggle member adapted to position said case shift bar in accordance withthe positioning of said case shift cross bars and to maintain said case shift bar in position pending receipt of a case shift reversing signal, one of said cross bars being selected by the positioning of said permutation and case shift bars for each different character to be converted, a number of L bar's, one associated with each cross bar, said L bars being so arranged that each will block said perforating bars and spacing bars to condition said perforator to punch said tape in a pattern representative of a code character, said cross bars beingnormally held out of engagement with said permutation bars by a main bail, means for so actuating said main bail as to bring said cross bars into engagement with said permutation bars at the end of each received code signal, said L bars being so coupled to said cross bars that said cross bars may be lifted by said main bail Without disturbing the selection of said perforator control bars by the selected one of said L bars, and means responsive to the completion of each perforating operation for restoring said perforator control bars and releasing the said one L bar.

3. A device for converting five unit code signals into telegraph code including a set of permutation bars, one individual to each element of the received code signal, means for selectively positioning each of said permutation bars in either of two positions in accordance with received signals, a case shift bar arranged with said permutation bars, a tape perforator including a set of perforator control bars arranged in parallel relationship to said permutation bars, said perforator control bars including perforating bars and spacing bars, a number of cross bars, case shift cross bars arranged with said cross bars so that one of said case shift cross bars will be positioned selectively in accordance with the arrangement of said permutation bars in response to received case shift signals, a spring biased toggle member adapted to position said case shift bar in accordance with the positioning of said case shift cross bars and to maintain said case shift bar in position pending receipt of a case shift reversing signal. one of said cross bars being selected by the positioning of said permutation and case shift bars for each different character to be converted, a number of L bars, one associated with each cross bar, said L bars being so arranged that each will block said perforating bars and spacing bars to condition said perforator to punch said tape in a pattern representative of a code character, and to advance said tape in accordance with the length of said code character said cross bars being normally held out of engagement with said permutation bars by a main bail, means for so actuating said main bail as to bring said cross bars into engagement with said permutation bars at the end of each received code signal. said L bars being so coupled to said cross bars that said cross bars may be lifted by said main bail without disturbing the selection of said perforator control bars by the selected one of said L bars. means responsive to the completion of each perforating operation for restoring said perforator control bars and releasing the said one L bar, and a tape advancing mechanism to advance said tape a predetermined distance without disturbing the operationof said selector mechanism.

4. A device for converting five unit code signals into telegraph code having in combination a set of permutation bars, one individual to each element of a received code signal a sword and lever mechanism for selectively positioning each of said permutation bars in either of two positions in accordance with r eived signals, a set of and spacing bars, a number of cooperating cross bars and L bars, one set for each different character to be converted, said cooperating cross and L bars being arranged with respect to said permutation and said perforator control bars so that two of said cooperating bars are selected by the positioning of said permutation bars in response to each character signal received, a case shift bar arranged with said permutation bars, and a toggle member arranged to be selectively shifted to either of two positions in response to the positioning of said permutation bars by case shift signals to selectively position and hold said case shift bar pending receipt of a different case shift signal, whereby said case shift bar serves to select one of said two additional bars, and said selected one additional bar acts to block selected perforating bars to perforate a tape and acts to block a spacing bar to control the advance of said tape.

.5. .A device for translating received fixed unit code signals into telegraph code signals, including-a set of permutation bars, one individual to each element of the received code signals, a further case shift permutation bar, means for selectively positioning each of said permutation bars in either of two positions in accordance with received signals, two case shift signal bars arranged in cooperative association with said permutation bars, said permutation bars selecting one of said case shift signal bars upon receipt of a case shift signal, a toggle lever arranged in cooperative relationship to said case shift signal bars to be actuated to either of two positions in accordance with theone of said case shift signal bars selected to selectively position said further case shift permutation bar in'either of two positions corresponding to upper and lower case characters as expressed in said fixed unit code, a set of perforator control bars arranged in fixed relationship to said permutation bars, said control bars including perforating and spacing bars, a number of additional bars, one for each different character to be translated, arranged in operative relationship with said permutation bars 8 and said control bars, one only of said additional bars being selected by said permutation bars to block selected perforating bars and a selected spacing bar to control perforation and advance of a tape.

6. A device for translating received fixed unit code signals into telegraph code signals, including a set of permutation .bars, one individual to each element of the received code signals, a further case shift permutation bar, means for selectively positioning each of said permutation bars in either of two positions in accordance with received signals, two case shift signal bars arranged in cooperative association with said permutation r bars, said permutation bars selecting one of said case shift signal bars upon receipt of a case shift signal, a spring biased toggle lever arranged in cooperative relationship to said case shift signal bars to be actuated in accordance with the one of said case shift signal bars selected to selectively translate and hold said further case shift permutation bar in either of two positions corresponding to upper and lower case characters as expressed in said fixed unit code, a set of perforator control bars arranged in fixed relationship to said permutation bars, said control bars including perforating and spacing bars, a number of additional bars, one for each different character to be translated, arranged in cooperative relationship with said permutation bars and said control bars, one only of said additional bars being selected by said permutation bars to block selected perforating bars and a selected spacing bar to control perforation and advance of a tape.

JAMES A. SPENCER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,394,439 Murray Oct. 18, 1921 2,228,417 Spencer Jan. 14, 1941 2,273,776 Zurek Feb. 17, 1942 2,352,952 Haglund et al July 4, 1944 

